Lazy Saturday & Bread Recipe

We had a relaxing weekend of doing not much and going to Stake Conference (hooray - no meetings!!!). It was gorgeous on Saturday, so we spent most of the day working out in the yard. At one point Missy & Little Dude had their swimsuits on. We had an intense game of freeze tag after all of the weeding was done.








I make bread quite a bit. I have always wanted to make the bread that you buy from bakeries ( or Costco :) that is crunchy on the outside, and soft in the middle. I have tried TONS of recipes, brushed lots of dough with egg whites, but nothing has given me the bakery bread that I've wanted. Until now. This bread is exactly what I've been looking for. It is super easy to make, but does take a bit of time as you start in the night before. The dough is also extremely sticky and doesn't seem like it will make bread, but stick with it.




No-Knead Bread
3 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon yeast
1 1/4 teaspoon salt


In a large bowl combine ingredients. Add 1 5/8 cups water and stir until mixed. Dough will be shaggy & sticky. Cover with plastic wrap. Let dough sit 12-18 hours.

Dough is ready when surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour work surface and place dough on it. Sprinkle with a little flour and fold dough over on itself once or twice. (your hands will be covered with the sticky mess and that is OK). Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let sit 15 minutes.

Quickly & gently shape dough into a ball and place on cotton (not terry cloth) towel, which is generously coated with flour, seam side down. Sprinkle with flour and cover with towel Let dough rise 2 hours.

At least 1/2 before dough is ready, preheat oven to 450 F. Put 6-8 quart covered ceramic/pyrex/cast iron pot in oven. When dough is ready, remove pot from oven. Slide hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up. Dough will look messy, but that is OK. Cover with lid and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake another 15 minutes. Cool on rack.

Callie

I thought I would do a quick update on each of our kiddos- and what they have been up to the past week. We went to an Awards Assembly at school on Friday for Callie.

She was given an Outstanding Leader award by her teacher Mrs. Sancedo. We are very proud of Callie and for how hard she works in school.

Callie also had her 2nd front tooth come out on Sunday. It was hanging on by a thread (literally), but wouldn't budge. It was just hanging there crooked in her mouth Luckily Gramps came over to dinner on Sunday and wiggled it right out for her. (the toothfairy forgot to come again until the morning when everyone was awake. Luckily she had time to slip downstairs and right a note about not being able to fly upstairs because of a hurt wing because of the rain & wind. Am I the only one that forgets??? )

Hayden

Over the past 2 weeks, I have learned something about Jeff that I never new these almost 10 years of marriage: he can make a mean paper airplane. These suckers easily fly the length of our house. Hayden has been reaping all of the benefits of having a very talented father, and has turned into a little airplane flying junkie.

I taught preschool today, and heard Hayden telling his friends how his dad makes the BEST paper airplanes, and that his mom still needs to learn how -haha. With how often Jeff is hit up to make a new airplane, I'm not sure I want to learn how :)

Isabella

We can almost see Isabella changing and growing every day. This is one of my favorite ages the 12-24 month old. They learn so quickly! Lately, Isabella has been our climber:

I mopped the floors and found Isabella on top of the chairs, which were on top of the table!

While getting ready for church, I found her going through my craft cupboards ( a big no-no as I keep things strictly organized - ha :)

In Callie's room playing with her toys on top of her desk.

But what a cutie we think she is. We love our Isabella very much.

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We love you very much.

Kindergarten Check-Up

We went for Little Dude's kindergaren check-up today. He has been worrying about getting shots since he heard me make the appointment. (I think Missy has been talking to him about it or something). I told him it was only one, and that it would be over before he knew it. Whoops, he ended up needing 4 and a finger prick, my bad :). But he did fantastic and didn't make a peep but watched as the nurse gave him each shot. We celebrated with a Jamba Juice afterwards. It's hard to believe he will be in kindergarten next year. I'm actually not looking forward it at all.

Here's to 67

Yesterday was my Dad's 67th birthday. We celebrated by having my parents and brother and his family over for Taco Salad ( no portion control = favorite for Dad :) My Dad has the amazing ability to make everyone he talks to feel like the most important person. I hope one day I can gain this attribute.

Happy Birthday Dad, we all love you.

(Mum shielding the cake.... thanks Mum)